MovieChat Forums > The Virginian (1962) Discussion > Suprised

Suprised

posted 14 years ago by amiNotAwake
18 replies | jump to latest

I can't believe I've never before heard of or come across this series. It's by far one of the best tv westerns I've seen. Just love, love, love this. Was also suprised to see how long it ran, and am excited that I've got a lot of fantastic viewing ahead of me considering I'm only halfway through the first season.

I wonder why I've never heard of 'The Virginian' before. It seems the only tv westerns people talk of anymore are 'Gunsmoke' and 'Bonanza', both of which I've always been a little disappointed with.

Just wanted to share my newfound love for this show.

"I can't drive a stolen car!"
-"Why? Same principle. Four gears forward, one reverse."

[–] debrajosbo 14 years ago

Yes you do have a lot of great viewing ahead of you! Like any series it will have it's ups and downs but still great. I think the first three seasons are the best. Are you watching on DVD or TV? In the US?

"Can I ask a dumb question?"
"Better than anyone I know!"

[–] amiNotAwake 14 years ago

I'm watching online through 'Netflix' which makes it very convenient. So far it seems like a really well balanced show. What makes it great for me is that as a whole it doesn't seem too dependent on one character so each storyline is a little different and it's not as predictable as many westerns. Of course you've got your standard plots like any show but I'm often suprised.

"They call me 'Swingin-door Susie'"!

[–] debrajosbo 14 years ago

Glad you found it! It's a great show! You will come to see how the storyline not having to center around any one particular character is a terrific advantage as some of the actors temporarily become involved in outside projects as the series progresses. They also have a literal "Who's Who" of guest stars! Enjoy!

"Can I ask a dumb question?"
"Better than anyone I know!"

[–] shelby0296 14 years ago

I think that The Virginian was (and is) considered too "hokey". Where Gunsmoke would acknowledge that "bad things" happened to good girls, this show never did. It was never even remotely touched on that a woman was taken against her will.

In Gunsmoke, sometimes the bad guys won (like they do in real life). On The Virginian, the bad guys never (that I recall) won.

I mean, I enjoy it for those reasons. The days when parents weren't completely terrified to allow their kids to go out and have a good time. Simpler times (or simpler people).

A lot of people just thought it was *too* unbelievable, with little realism, but we need "little realism" these days.

[–] amiNotAwake 14 years ago

I like the 'hokiness' (if that's a word) to The Virginian. I do think though there is some realism in the way they portray the life of a cowhand. Never having more than a few bucks, wild Saturday nights, a different girlfriend every week, doing everything and anything their able to keep a job through 'offseason'. I don't know a whole lot personally about that kind of life but from what I've read (I like Journals/Historical references of the period/place) it seems pretty dead on.

In Comparison to 'Gunsmoke' I've gotta be honest I've never seen more than 5 or 10 episodes of it and that was when I was probably around 10 years old. Perhaps I should revisit it.

'Bonanza' I can't hardly stand any more than one episode every now and then for some light entertainment. If you want some black and white, no gray 'hokiness' it's got it in spades.

Really though if you give me some good lookin' fellas, interesting character, and fantastic guest stars I'm happy!

[–] shelby0296 14 years ago

Oh, I really dislike Bonanza, and disliked it when it was actually being "first run" (and I was a kid).

I *adore* The Virginian, and even overlook the glaring "flaws" in some of the story telling.

I like Hokiness... If it isn't a word, we should make it one <smile>.

Ever notice how none of the shows ever explained that someone like Miss Kitty (on Gunsmoke) wasn't a "saloon owner" she was a madam? Even on The Virginian, you hear only once about a woman with "loose moral character".

As for good lookin'... I'd have to say that The Virginian probably had the widest variety of good lookin' fellas (and hubby says some of the ladies are very pretty too).

[–] bear022013-588-696101 14 years ago

I am "flattened"that one poster had never seen or heard of the VIRGINIAN TV SERIES.Even one "HOKEY"episode of any WESTERN was/is far better than the utter filth that HOLLYWOOD is "allowed"..that is correct...allowed to show to the public.Sex,profanity,strange female looking men.Women constantly putting Caucasian men in their place.Overall low quality..entertainment????
The Virginian,Gunsmoke,The Westerner,Cheyenne{THE GREAT CLINT WALKER}James Arness..REAL MEN FROM 50/60/70's80's Small screen,Big screen!
Young boys,yours truly and MILLIONS more idolized DAD,Grandad,Uncles,JFK,astronauts,Mickey Mantle.
Now the entire country is a MESS.I know why and so do you moviegoers.We need another Jack Valenti only closer to a John Wayne!

[–] bear022013-588-696101 13 years ago

Bonanza was awful!

[–] amiNotAwake 14 years ago

Just watched the second episode of season two, 'To Make This Place Remember'. Very very good. All the guest stars were fantastic, and the story was very touching.

In particular the woman who played the 'ex-saloon girl' "Mrs" Dory. WOW! what a performance. I'd seen her before on something but couldn't remember what. Anyway for being a part for maybe only ten minutes she gave everything she had; brought tears to my eyes. I hate it when my friends say actors prior to 1960 weren't really actors and had no talent. Believe me or not they say it all the flippin' time! No matter how many times they are proven wrong...

"She's so ooh-la-la-la! so untrue-la-la-la"

[–] misspaddylee 14 years ago

In particular the woman who played the 'ex-saloon girl' "Mrs" Dory. WOW! what a performance. I'd seen her before on something but couldn't remember what.

That was Joan Blondell. You may have seen her in 30s Warner Bros pictures (The Public Enemy, Three Men on a Horse), 40s classics (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Nightmare Alley), 50s comedies (Desk Set, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?), 60s dramas (The Cincinnati Kid) or television guest spots including a regular series (Here Come the Brides).

"Tell me about the squares, Buzzie."

[–] amiNotAwake 14 years ago

Thank you ever so much!

It was 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' on which I'd seen her.

[–] misspaddylee 14 years ago

You're very welcome. She's a particular favourite of mine. Aunt Sissy in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a wonderful character and Joan played her beautifully.

We're so lucky to have The Virginian available with all its timeless stories and marvelous guest stars.

"Tell me about the squares, Buzzie."

[–] blakjak_cc 14 years ago

I only discovered this show recently as well when it started playing at 7am every day on 7mate (Australia).
Even though they seem to skip a few episodes now & then, it's still pretty damn good.
I also like how each episode is feature length (90 mins including ads) so they get to develop the story properly.
Gotta love Trampas, tough as nails, but can never seem to get the girl. The Virginian (wonder what his name would be if he had one) is a just man, also tough but very fair. Only regular that I didn't like was Grainger's neice. All she seemed to do was buy clothes, play dress-ups, & hit on every single guy that happen to come across Shiloh Ranch. :) The earlier female leads weren't as annoying lol.

[–] shandy8 14 years ago

Haha! I just had to agree with you about Elizabeth; she is a poor replacement for Betsy. I, for one, never stopped missing Lee J. Cobb (Shiloh was HIS ranch!).

"What do you want me to do, draw a picture? Spell it out!"

[–] carrie-whitman10 13 years ago

Here I am another one that never knew about The Virginian and was lucky to chatch it when it was first put on either late 2010 or early 2011 and here come Jan. 2012 they have taken it off Encore Western and they never even ran the full series, I looked forward to the show everyday, especially when I first started watching. I really enjoeyd waiting to see the next episode, was disappointed when they jumped back to the beginning and never showing all of the series and now that they have taken it off the air, I am going to try and see if I can afford and find it on DVD's and buy the complete series. I have so wished they would come back out with a western like this. There is no other western like it and think they really need to put The Virginian back on and also come to realize people would like to watch another series of the same order, being new and produced today!!!!!!

[–] bear022013-588-696101 11 years ago

The cast is touring the USA and other locales...signing autographs.

[–] amiNotAwake 11 years ago

Coolio! I'll have to look into that. It'd be interesting just to hear them talk about their experiences on the show.

"Didn't you go to school stupid?"
-"Yep, but I came out the same way."

[–] bear022013-588-696101 11 years ago

I grew up near a weirdo named Charles Grodin who actually became a poorly skilled actor tv/film so bad and a user taker personality.He "knew some folks"in Hollywood...if you catch my drift and made alot of money just because he had connections.
The Virginian episode entitled"The meanest men in the West" began in an odd manner then went downhill from there.So,off it went....do not allow your children to watch one moment of it.